Christine Sinclair - Leader

Born in Bearsden, Christine started violin lessons aged 11. Two years later, winning a MacFarlane Scholarship, she attended the Junior Department of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, leading the Junior Orchestra for two years. Full-time study at the RSAMD with Louis Carus followed, graduating with a double Diploma in Professional Performance and Professional String Teaching. She is also a Post Graduate of Jordanhill College of Educational Studies.

Further study on viola with Bernard Knight in Kent led to recital work with Deal Music Society, soloist in the Bach Double Concerto with Dover Orchestral Society and freelance playing with Canterbury Cathedral Orchestra.

Returning to Scotland, Christine became Instrumental Music Adviser - West Dunbartonshire, Director of Strings - West of Scotland Schools Orchestra and tutor - Scottish National Youth String Orchestra. She currently freelances as a violinist/violist and has founded a quartet with three other members of Helensburgh Orchestral Society, which has recently given two concerts in France. She is a founder member and leader of the Springfield Memorial Festival Orchestra - professional musicians raising money for the Children's Hospice Association in Scotland, and this December will be leading them in their annual sell out Christmas Concert in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Christine has been the leader of the Helensburgh Orchestral Society since 1986 and continues to support the development of the orchestra under Musical Director Robert Baxter.